4 Causes A Rabbit Not Eating Much But Acting Normal

Rabbit glutton creature, it is unlikely for them to not have a big appetite and will usually chew anything for curiosity or just to sate its hunger. Should you might want to provide them with more food stock by doing a simple gardening, You can read “How to Gardening Your Rabbit“article.

But rabbit can lose its appetite hence will not eating much but still acting normal (on the surface). Usually lack of appetite also a sign that your rabbit is in bad condition, hence it can be also a sign that the rabbit might sick. Fail to notice and neglect its condition can detriment your rabbit health and may lead it to its death.

Should the rabbit act normally, you can observe these symptoms to determine if the rabbit loss it’s appetite or not:

1. You can see if the rabbit has defecated properly or its fecal matter (poop) output is decreased.
2. You rabbit still defecate properly but the size of the fecal matter is shrunk in its size.
3. There is a change in the texture of the rabbit fecal matter, like its become sticky, watery, much harder, etc.
4. reluctant or not even want to eat its favorite treat.
5. A decrease in body weight
6. Still eating, but increase more leftover food
7. Start to decrease its daily activity

Here are a few causes that make your rabbit not eating much but acting normal (on the surface):

1. Gastrointestinal Statis

One of the causes of the reason why your rabbit don’t eat much is due to the gastrointestinal problem called ileus. Alternatively referred to as Gastrointestinal Stasis, ileus occurs when the normal peristalsis, the stomach movement, and intestines to push food through the gastrointestinal tract, decreases or stops. Ileus in the rabbit is extremely dangerous and may become the cause of its death if left untreated.

Gastrointestinal Statis or ileus is when the rabbit intestines stop moving the normal ingesta out through the colon toward the rectum. When the rabbit stops doing eating or pooping, the bacteria inside the rabbit will produce excessive gas and this overproduced gas is painful for your rabbit. These overproduced prevent your rabbit from eating its food. Rabbit can’t vomit so its need your attention to help them work on the gas and whatever food that may remain in its body by using medication or stimulation. You might even need to force feed your rabbit to keep them alive while administering the medication, but the best solution is to let your veterinarian help your rabbit.

2. Abscesses in Rabbit

An abscess is a cavity containing pus surrounded by a capsule of thickened, inflamed tissue. Usually caused by a bacterial infection. The abscesses accumulate the dead cell from the rabbit battle to fight the bacterial infection, The bacteria that causes abscesses might be caused by aerial bacterial (which need oxygen to survive) like Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Anaerobic bacteria (Which not need oxygen to survive).

The Abscesses on rabbit can be formed in nearly any organ of its body like skin, toot roots and its bone. Commonly, the abscesses can form in rabbit tooth roots, bite wounds and tear ducts. Usually, the causes of rabbit facial abscesses are the result of dental disease. Tear duct abscessed caused by an elongated upper incisor tooth root, blocking its tear duct. Accumulated fluids in the rabbit tear duct is an excellent breeding ground for the bacteria to breed thus the abscess and easily formed there.

Abscesses can be formed internally and will be difficult to diagnose thus really troublesome to manage. Abscesses can be internally formed in the uterus, lungs heart liver, abdominal fat, intestines, and kidneys.

3. Overgrown Rabbit Teeth

3. Encephalitozoon cuniculi

Shortened to E.cuniculi, this is a dreadful and lifelong disease for the rabbit. This disease is so hard to identify that make the perfect healthy rabbit can suddenly contract E. cuniculi, even more, dreadful because this disease is highly contagious to other rabbits. E. cuniculi have many symptoms including seizure and head tilt that make the rabbit having difficulties eating.

The rabbit will require lifelong medication to help them manage and stabilize the rabbit. I hope your rabbit will never get this disease because there is no cure established yet for this disease. Here is “12 Symptoms That Your Rabbit is Sick “to keep your rabbit safe.

4. Sore Hock

Known as Bumblefoot, its medical name is ulcerative pododermatitis. Usually occur in animals such as rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs. Sore hock is very painful and will stress your rabbit. The bigger rabbit is more susceptible to get sore hock. Stressed rabbit will be most likely to not eating much due to not having the appetite when being feeling stress.

Sore hock is the foot of the rabbit that becomes infected due to bacteria. The fur near the infected area on its feet will out and reveal an inflamed and red patch of skin. Sore hock usually occur on rabbit back feet because it has a large surface are there hence exposed more contact on the ground and other sources of infection.

To prevent your rabbit from getting sore hock, is by keep the rabbit’s environment secure from anything that may harm its feed. You can read the simple guide on rabbit-proof by reading this “5 Easy Ways to Rabbit-Proof Your House“article. You also need these “7 Tips to Clean Your Rabbit Dirty Feet” to help minimize chance of your rabbit gets sore hock should its foot get dirty.